FORMER COLONY – OFFICIALLY EVAQUATED IN 2006; SETTLERS ARE STILL LIVING THERE
Homesh, near Nablus, is located on a hill that towers over the village of Burqa. The land the settlement occupies is owned, in small parcels, by the villagers of Burqa. It was primarily used for agriculture, a well-known area for apple orchards. After the evacuation, the landowners began to use the hill and repair the terraces they used for cultivation. In July of 2007 the settlers returned to reoccupy Homesh. They organized a movement in Israel called Homesh First which supports the settlers by bringing them food and water, allowing a small number of settlers to continually occupy the hilltop. According to most maps, this area was supposed to have returned to Palestinians. In reality, the settlers are more violent and reactionary toward the citizens of Burqa then before the original evacuation. They have been to steal sheep and tools from the villagers and light their cars on fire.
Homesh before (2004) and after (2006) the evaquation. Courtesy: ARIJ
Homesh over the village Burqa
The former settlement with the only visible structure of the settlement that was left intact, the water tower
Interview with a farmer of the village of Burka
Ownership and settlers violence:
[googlevideo width=”488″ height=”320″]http://video.google.it/videoplay?docid=-1515177996954766860&hl=it[/googlevideo]
Interview with a resident of the village of Burka
Apple orchards:
[googlevideo width=”488″ height=”320″]http://video.google.it/videoplay?docid=-8530582345932771891&hl=it[/googlevideo]